Anthropogenic footprint and ecological risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments from Lake Victoria, East Africa
Date
2025-12-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, continues to face pressure from anthropogenic activities in its catchment area, releasing pollutants, which are ultimately trapped in the sediment core, thereby posing threats to aquatic organisms. This study quantified thirteen organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and ten polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments from the Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania sides of Lake Victoria using soxhlet method, fractionation column and GC–MS/MS analysis. Total (∑13) OCPs levels were up to 412, 148, and 522 µg kg-1 dry weight (d.w), and 12.1, 8.69 and 9.87 µg kg-1 dw for total (∑10) PCBs for sediments from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, respectively. Diagnostic ratios suggested past and ongoing use of OCPs while principal component analysis confirmed that OCP profiles were mainly due to their application in controlling pests in agriculture and public health programs, and PCB congeners were largely due to volatilization, degradation of higher PCBs into lighter PCBs, improper waste disposal of old transformers, hydraulic fluids, plasticizers, and capacitors. Ecological risk assessment highlighted that the PCB levels in sediments were below threshold effect and probable effect levels, but p,p′-DDD, and lindane were likely to pose adverse effects to sediment-dwelling organisms in Lake Victoria. These results imply persistent pollutant loads in Lake Victoria, and consequently, a need for its enhanced management.
Description
The paper provides scientific evidence on pollution levels and ecological risks from organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in Lake Victoria sediments. Its findings support Uganda’s NDP IV objectives on environmental protection, sustainable natural resource management, and climate resilient development by informing policy actions in agriculture, waste management, and water resources. The study contributes to SDG 6 by highlighting threats to water quality, SDG 12 through promoting responsible chemical use, SDG 14 by protecting aquatic ecosystems, and SDG 15 by supporting biodiversity conservation. Overall, the research strengthens evidence based planning for sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem health in Uganda.
Keywords
PCBs, OCPs, Sediments, Sources, Ecological risks, Aquatic organisms
Citation
Kagoya, A., Arinaitwe, K., Odongo, S., Sifuna, D., Matovu, H., Matsiko, J., Muhwezi, G.,ˇSp´anik, I., Kato, C.D., Sillanpa, M., Ssebugere, P, & Ssebugere, P. (2025). Anthropogenic footprint and ecological risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments from Lake Victoria, East Africa. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 100979.